Cisco signs MoU on security cooperation with CERT-In

Cisco Systems and Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on security cooperation in India. Both parties will work together to address the increasing Internet security threats faced by critical information infrastructure. Both organizations will work towards increasing computer security readiness and raising awareness around the importance of keeping systems and cyber infrastructure secure, software up to date and security practices and procedures current.
As per the security cooperation MOU, Cisco Systems and CERT-In will engage in cooperative activities in the areas of internet security, including, sharing of best practices and issues regarding the handling of software security vulnerabilities in networked information systems and training of the
CIOs.

Announcing the MoU, Sudhir Narang, Sr. VP Government and Service Provider Businesses, Cisco Systems, India and SAARC said, "The advent of globalization is bringing about an Information Communications Technology (ICT) revolution in the country. Gartner predicts that the Indian ICT spends will surpass $54.8 billion by 2008, and achieve a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 19%. With this growth comes the high level of security threats/attacks that Indian enterprises and consumers are faced with. The MOU, provides Cisco and CERT-In an opportunity to work together to ensure a secure networked computing environment for Indian enterprises and the general consumers." He added, "The MOU gains further significance in light of the growing shortfall of networking professionals in the country. As per an e-value serve report, there is a deficit of more than 60,000 professionals currently and this deficit is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.64% till 2010 further compounding the security vulnerability of enterprises."

Dr. Gulshan Rai, Director, CERT-In added, "Our primary concern lies in ensuring a secure critical information infrastructure and computing environment in general for Indian enterprises including the Government and citizens and we hope to leverage on Cisco's experience and learning internationally."

Inaugurated in January 2004, CERT-In is the designated coordination point for prevention, protection, and response to cyber attacks across the Internet. The charter of CERT-In is, to become the nation's most trusted referral agency of the Indian Community for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur. CERT-In will also assist the Indian Community in implementing proactive measures to reduce the risks of computer security incidents.